In a court ruling many commentators called a political earthquake, Le Pen on Monday was given a prison term and fine after being convicted of a fake jobs scheme at the EU parliament.
But the most serious part of the conviction was a five-year ban – effective immediately – on standing for office, which eliminates her from the race.
Addressing her lawmakers on Tuesday, Le Pen, who considered herself the favourite in the 2027 election in which President Emmanuel Macron cannot stand again, accused “the system” of rolling out “the nuclear bomb” to end her presidential hopes.
“If they use such a powerful weapon against us, it’s obviously because we’re about to win an election,” said Le Pen, 56. “We won’t let this happen.”
The Paris Court of Appeal said later on Tuesday that it would examine Le Pen’s case “within a timeframe that should allow a decision to be reached in the summer of 2026”.
This could mean that the new trial would be held by early 2026 at the latest, and that the decision would therefore be handed down well before the 2027 presidential election, in which Le Pen wants to run for the fourth time.
In a statement signed by the chief justice, Jacques Boulard, and the attorney general, Marie-Suzanne Le Queau, the court said it had received three appeals against the rulings handed down on Monday.
The announcement was made after Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, speaking during a tense parliament session, expressed hope that Le Pen’s appeal would be heard within the “most reasonable timeframe”.
“I personally hope that if Mrs Le Pen lodges an appeal, this new judgement at the Paris Court of Appeal can take place within the most reasonable timeframe,” Darmanin told parliament.
Analysts said the court decision could deepen France’s political crisis and cast a shadow on the upcoming 2027 polls.
Le Pen’s National Rally (RN), which is the largest single party in parliament, can complicate life for Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who does not have a majority in the lower house National Assembly.
If Le Pen loses her appeal, there is also a “plan B”, a candidacy by her protege and RN party leader Jordan Bardella, a 29-year-old with a slick television and social media presence. (AFP)
